The speech, delivered by the Queen on behalf of government, addressed Brexit implications first as government prepares to sit for two years to enable it to process the Bills and legislations relating to Brexit. The parliamentary session will run from 2017 until 2019, coinciding with the current timeline for Britain to leave the EU.

The Speech started: ‘My government’s priority is to secure the best possible deal as the country leaves the European Union. My ministers are committed to working with parliament, the devolved administrations, business and others to build the widest possible consensus on the country’s future outside the European Union.’

The speech confirmed that over the course of the next two years eight pieces of legislation will be introduced to ‘ensure that the UK makes a success of Brexit’.

Repeal Bill

The Repeal Bill will transpose current EU laws into UK law, allowing UK Parliament to make any future changes to law. It will create temporary powers to make secondary legislation and allows corrections to be made to laws that do not currently operate appropriately in the UK.

This means that the UK will have a functioning statute book on the day the UK leaves the EU which provides certainty for individuals and businesses.

The Bill will also ‘replicate the common UK frameworks created by EU law in UK law, and maintain the scope of devolved decision making powers immediately after EU-exit.’

Customs Bill

The purpose of a Customs Bill is to provide new domestic legislation to replace EU customs legislation and modify elements of the indirect taxes system. This will allow the UK to operate standalone customs and indirect taxes regime.

After Brexit the UK will be able to charge custom duties on imported goods and adjust the rates; control imports; collect payments of customs duties and tackle evasion; and accommodate potential negotiated arrangements with the EU.

Trade Bill

The UK will need to implement an independent trade policy allowing the UK to trade freely with the rest of the world.

The Trade Bill will set out the tools needed to deliver an international trading framework, which includes an effective trade remedies regime. It will have to reflect the needs of both businesses and consumers.

Prime Minister, Theresa May, has already stated that she wants to leave the EU Single Market as then the UK will not have to make any contributions to the EU. Instead she wants to establish a customs union agreement.

In 2016, the value of exports to the UK economy was £547.6bn, up 23.2% on 2010 and up 5.8% on 2015. Nine working groups with 15 countries have been established to explore the best ways of progressing trade in the future.

Immigration Bill

An Immigration Bill will allow government to repeal EU law on migration, primarily free movement, which will be converted into UK law by the Repeal Bill. It will give government control over the numbers of people who come to the UK from the EU.

The purpose of the Bill is to ‘make the migration of EU nationals and their family members subject to relevant UK law once the UK has left the EU, whilst still allowing the UK to attract the brightest and the best.’

Fisheries Bill

Once the UK has left the EU it will be able to control access to its waters and set fishing quotas, which will ensure prosperity for fishermen and preserve/increase fish stocks.

Agriculture Bill

The government wants to support farmers to compete domestically and on the global market allowing the UK to grow more, sell more and export British food.

The farming sector would become self-reliant which is more competitive, productive and profitable, as well as protecting the environment.

Nuclear Safeguards Bill

Government is planning to establish a nuclear safeguards regime to continue to meet international obligations which applies to civil nuclear material under the International Atomic Energy Agency.

International Sanctions Bill

The purpose of an International Sanctions Bill is ‘to continue to impose, update and lift sanctions regimes both to comply with our international obligations and to pursue our foreign policy and national security objectives.

This will allow government to impose sanctions including asset freezes, travel bans and trade and market restrictions. Following Brexit, regulations for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing will be amended and new rules will be passed.

Queen’s Speech 2017: background briefing notes are available here. 

Report by Amy Austin